Emma Gad

Emma Gad (January 21, 1852 - January 8, 1921), born Emma Halkier, was a Danish writer and socialite who wrote plays and books that were often satirical. Although she was a prolific writer, many of her works fell into obscurity after her death. One work that remained popular was Takt og Tone, a book of etiquette she wrote in old age.
She received a gold Medal of Merit in 1905. Today her plays are preserved in Denmark's Royal Library.

Gravestone of Emma and Nicolas Gad in Copenhagen

Gad grew up in a relatively affluent home and received a good education for a woman at the time. She married Nicolas Urban Gad, a rear admiral, in 1872. They had two sons: Henry and Peter Urban Gad, who later became a filmmaker. She was a member of many trade unions and women's societies in Copenhagen, and her home was an important meeting place for intellectuals in Denmark at the turn of the century.

In 1886 she premiered as a dramatist at the Royal Danish Theatre's Ny Scene. In 1898 she co-founded the Women's Trade and Clerical Association, which was the first professional organization of women in the office.

Gad's book Etiquette - About Dealing with People (Danish: Takt og Tone - Om Omgang med Mennesker) was published in 1918. Her oft-repeated point is that when visitation is between considerate people then "etiquette" is not necessary. It is the indifferent, selfish, or directly ruthless people that create the need for a formal etiquette.

On Jan 21, 2013 Google made a doodle for Emma Gad's 161st birthday, in honor of her book of etiquette.